LOS ANGELES — In a little more than two weeks, USC opens its season against Western Michigan. But since last spring, teams on the Trojans’ schedule started thinking about how to handle USC’s offense and quarterback Sam Darnold. And in return, USC started to anticipate what type of defenses it might encounter this season.

“Sam and myself talk a lot about what will be the philosophy of the defenses?” USC quarterbacks coach Tyson Helton said.

When you combine Darnold’s arm and foot speed with the talent of tailbacks Ronald Jones and Stephen Carr, it does not sound fun for any opponent. However, at this point, it could also be fair to say the Trojans lack a true deep threat to make big plays.

With no wide receivers emerging as stars during training camp, it might make sense for defenses to force USC to prove it can throw deep. That would also be ideal for a defense because it could focus on stopping the run and short passes.

“You have to pick a poison,” Helton said. “You can load up the box (to stop the run) or mix it up and keep us guessing. I think we’ll see a little bit of everything.”

Helton is probably correct, but with unproven receivers USC has yet to demonstrate it has a deep-passing game. Last year, most deep passes went to JuJu Smith-Schuster, who is now with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Who would be a deep threat today? Redshirt freshman Velus Jones was the likely candidate last spring but he has been inconsistent during training camp. USC coach Clay Helton named Jones along with freshmen Tyler Vaughns and Josh Imatorbhebhe as deep threats this week. Helton also mentioned sophomore Michael Pittman, but Pittman sprained his ankle Tuesday and could miss several games.

“I think we’ll have some speed,” he said.

But none of these receivers are consistently making big plays. That might sound critical but with so much practice time in August, it seems logical a receiver might emerge.

Helton did not mention true freshman Joseph Lewis, who looks capable of being a deep threat. Another true freshman, Randal Grimes, is intriguing.

As is often the case at USC, the receivers’ recruiting rankings are currently ahead of their performances. During USC’s second scrimmage last week, there was frustration between Darnold and his young corps of receivers.

“It was just about not running the right routes or reading coverages right,” Darnold said.

All the more reason for defenses to make USC prove it can hit a home run during a game. Besides, Darnold might be more difficult trying to stop in short-pass situations when he can also run.

It’s tougher to complete a deep pass, so defensive coordinators with good cornerbacks might focus on the run and short passes and let USC try to go over the top.

“They’re going to first say, `let’s stop the run’ and force you to pass to win the game,” Tyson Helton said.

USC’s go-to receiver is Deontay Burnett but he is more known for catching intermediate-range passes. Whenever Darnold’s in trouble during training camp, he seems to always look for Burnett first. Last week, Darnold said he didn’t really have a No. 2 option as he was still getting comfortable with the newer receivers.

“There are a lot of things we need to work on, but I’m confident we will be ready when the season starts,” Darnold said.

If USC finds a deep threat, it will be fine. But after 15 practices, the search is still on for the best candidate.